Monroe Lake Fishing
A 39-acre Ohio lake in Monroe County, 10 HP limit.
Pick for steelheadPiscifun Viper X spinning reel50% OFFSale $39.99 Photo of Seneca Lake: Jon Gudorf Photography, CC BY-SA 2.0
What ODNR maps at Monroe Lake
Anglers get 39 acres of lake at Monroe Lake, a water of Monroe County on the ODNR map. Gas, food and lodging are nearest in Miltonsburg, roughly 1 mile away. ODNR Wildlife District Four (Athens office) covers this water.
Expect 10 HP limit on the water. The launch inventory shows 1 public launch. The attractor layer lists 3 structure sites.
ODNR Division of Wildlife lake outlines (acres and shoreline miles), horsepower and fish hot-spot layers, Census places, retrieved October 26, 2026.
Ohio fish ODNR records at Monroe Lake
ODNR sources connect these fish with Monroe Lake; others may swim there unlisted.
ODNR fish hot-spot layers, ODNR stocking records and Outdoor Writers of Ohio records, retrieved October 26, 2026.
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ODNR maps 3 attractor sites in Monroe Lake, placed in 2020, from to feet deep.
| Site | Type | Points | Depth | Year placed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| X-mas tree bundles | Tree | 3 | 2020 |
ODNR DOW Lake Fishing layer, fish attractors (type, year, depth as mapped), retrieved October 26, 2026.
Ohio launches on Monroe Lake
- Monroe Lake Wildlife Areaconcrete ramp, 1 lane, 10 trailer spaces, courtesy dock, no launch fee, 10 HP limit; ODNR Division of Wildlife-District Four
Boat ramps in the area of Monroe Lake
- Slope Creek Reservoir RampSlope Creek Reservoir, 6 miles north
ODNR Parks and Watercraft boating facilities and DOW facility points, retrieved October 26, 2026.
Ohio limits at Monroe Lake
| Species | Daily limit and size | Season |
|---|---|---|
| Blue & Flathead Catfish (under 35 inches) | No daily limit | Open year-round |
| Blue & Flathead Catfish (35 inches or larger) | 1 of each (statewide); minimum 35 inches | Open year-round |
| Channel Catfish (under 28 inches) | No daily limit | Open year-round |
| Channel Catfish (28 inches or larger) | 1 (statewide); minimum 28 inches | Open year-round |
| Largemouth, Smallmouth, & Spotted Bass | 5 (singly or in combination); minimum 12 inches | Open year-round |
| Muskellunge | 1 | Open year-round |
| Striped, Hybrid-Striped, & White Bass | 30 (singly or in combination); minimum No more than 4 over 15 inches | Open year-round |
| Trout | 5 (singly or in combination) | Open year-round |
| Walleye, Sauger, & Saugeye | 6 (singly or in combination) | Open year-round |
| Yellow Perch | 30 | Open year-round |
At Monroe Lake the inland table holds, with any site-specific line overriding it.
Limits as printed in the 2026-27 Ohio Fishing Regulations (ODNR Division of Wildlife Publication 5085, effective March 1, 2026 to February 28, 2027) and the ODNR Lake Erie walleye and yellow perch daily limits sheet (May 1, 2026 to April 30, 2027); retrieved October 26, 2026.
Hatchery fish released into Monroe Lake
Between 1970 and 2021, ODNR logged 93 stocking entries for Monroe Lake, led by 102,305 rainbow trout, 66,152 yellow perch, 43,098 channel catfish.
| Year | Species | Number | Size or stage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | Rainbow Trout | 1,142 | catchable |
| 2020 | Channel Catfish | 1,269 | yearling |
| 2019 | Rainbow Trout | 1,004 | catchable |
| 2018 | Channel Catfish | 710 | yearling |
| 2018 | Rainbow Trout | 1,080 | catchable |
| 2017 | Rainbow Trout | 1,013 | catchable |
| 2016 | Channel Catfish | 1,012 | yearling |
| 2016 | Rainbow Trout | 1,004 | catchable |
| 2015 | Channel Catfish | 1,019 | yearling |
| 2015 | Rainbow Trout | 1,002 | catchable |
| 2014 | Rainbow Trout | 1,001 | catchable |
| 2013 | Rainbow Trout | 1,013 | catchable |
ODNR Division of Wildlife Ohio Fish Stocking Records (public copy of the DataOhio dataset, current as of May 31, 2022; numbers by water, year, species and life stage); retrieved October 26, 2026.
The closest lakes to Monroe Lake, side by side
Size-wise, Seneca Lake leads the neighbors at 3,587 acres.
| Lake | Distance | Acres | Launches | Motor rule | Hot-spot species |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Monroe Lake | 39 | 1 | 10 HP limit | 0 | |
| Slope Creek Reservoir | 6 miles north | 93 | 1 | electric motors only | 0 |
| Barnesville Lake #4 | 12 miles north | 14 | 1 | electric motors only | 0 |
| Seneca Lake | 15 miles northwest | 3,587 | 4 | 399 HP, Unlimited | 4 |
| Belmont Lake | 17 miles northeast | 109 | 1 | electric motors only | 5 |
| Wolf Run Lake | 20 miles west | 208 | 1 | 10 HP limit | 5 |
ODNR lake outlines, horsepower and hot-spot layers and the launch inventory, retrieved October 26, 2026.
A short hop from Monroe Lake
More ODNR lakes within reach of Monroe Lake
- Slope Creek Reservoir6 miles north
- Barnesville Lake #412 miles north
- Seneca Lake15 miles northwest
- Belmont Lake17 miles northeast
- Wolf Run Lake20 miles west
Bait and tackle counters serving Monroe Lake
- Seneca Marinamarina, Senecaville, 16 miles
- Academy Sports + Outdoors, 67800 Mall Rd Ste 100-05bait and tackle shop, Saint Clairsville, 23 miles
- D&J bait tacklebait and tackle shop, Freeport, 23 miles
- Piedmont Lake Marinamarina, Freeport, 24 miles
- Salt Fork Marinamarina, Lore City, 25 miles
Overnight options around Monroe Lake
- Woodsfield4 miles
- Barnesville12 miles
- Bethesda14 miles
The county guides that include Monroe Lake
- Monroe Countyseat: Woodsfield
Piscifun picks for a run at Monroe Lake
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Lakes, rivers and shore close to Monroe Lake, pictured
Photo: Jonathan A Brier, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Paula R. Lively, CC BY 2.0
Photo: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Public domain
Photo: pasa47, CC BY 2.0
Ask-and-answer notes on Monroe Lake
Which ODNR district covers Monroe Lake?
Ohio anglers find it in Monroe County, ODNR Wildlife District Four (Athens office), about 1 mile from Miltonsburg.
How much water does Monroe Lake hold at the surface?
About 39 acres.
Where is the boat ramp at Monroe Lake?
Yes, 1 public launch, including Monroe Lake Wildlife Area.
Which fish do ODNR files connect with Monroe Lake?
Listed fish: steelhead, channel catfish, largemouth bass, yellow perch, northern pike and bluegill.
What can go in the cooler at Monroe Lake under Ohio rules?
Largemouth, Smallmouth, & Spotted Bass: 5 (singly or in combination); minimum 12 inches; Open year-round.
Can an out-of-state visitor fish Monroe Lake?
Anglers 16 and older need an Ohio fishing license: $25.00 a year for residents, $76.96 for nonresidents and $10.00 for residents 65 and older.
What motor rule applies at Monroe Lake?
Posted rule: 10 HP limit.
Which listed shop is the shortest drive from Monroe Lake?
Seneca Marina, about 16 miles away.
Is Monroe Lake on the stocking records?
From 1970 to 2021: 93 releases, rainbow trout first.
Where are the brush piles at Monroe Lake?
ODNR lists 3 sites of placed cover.
Circle a date for Monroe Lake
License prices and the full ODNR limit tables are on one page.